Perspectives Film Series (From Home): Curated by Alia Aluma
Contemporary Calgary collaborates with Pink Flamingo to launch a new film series curated by Alia Aluma, that centres QTBIPOC films, diverse voices, global titles and narratives that confront prejudices.
This month’s perspective visits defining moments in recent history that impacted the future of race relations in North America. Each film is shot from the perspective of a Black director, granting entry into the intersectional existence of Black communities, interpretations of history, and the audacity of hope. These films express what it means to speak your mind, even when your voice shakes; to decide who you will be, and trust that your self-assurance is stronger than your fear. Each title includes historical truths and facts about events that took place in the United States and Canada in order for us all to arrive at this very moment, where we can all choose to learn more about what we come from.
One Night in Miami (Regina King, 2020)
In Regina King’s directorial debut, four of American history’s most influential Black men meet the night before the life-changing boxing match between Muhammad Ali and Sonny Liston. This fictional account brings together Jim Brown, Sam Cooke, Malcolm X, and Muhammad Ali, a group of friends who discuss the current conditions and the future of Black America.
Adapted from Kemp Power’s play, the narrative contains historical facts and truths relevant to our leading characters.
BlacKKKlansman (Spike Lee, 2018, R)
From award winning filmmaker and director, Spike Lee, BlacKKKlansman follows the true events of Ron Stallworth (John David Washington), an African American police officer from Colorado Springs, CO who goes undercover as a member of the KKK. This comedic crime story partners Stallworth with the Flip Zimmerman (Adam Driver), a Jewish surrogate who eventually becomes the leader of the Klan.
Also available on Apple TV & VUDU
The Butler (Lee Daniels, 2013)
After leaving the South and his life as a domestic servant to an abusive White family, Cecil Gaines gets a life changing opportunity when offered the role as a butler in the White House. While serving 8 presidents, from Truman to Reagan, Gaines is witness to a violent American history while also living as a Black man during the civil rights movement with direct access to the presidents’ point of view.
This award winning film is based on true events and directed by Black filmmaker Lee Daniels. Accompanied by an all-star cast with Forest Whitaker, Oprah Winfrey, Mariah Carey, David Oyelowo, Terrence Howard, and Jane Fonda.
13th (Ava DuVernay, 2016)
A documentation of racial inequality in the United States, focusing on the disproportionate number of Black Americans in prisons.
Unarmed Verses (Charles Officer, 2017)
Filmed in the gentrification of Toronto Villaways, Unarmed Voices follows the poetic observations of life and community through the eyes Black Canadian youth.
Also available through YouTube or Amazon Prime.
About the Curator
Alia Aluma
An advocate for the creative industries and global contributor to arts and culture communities, Alia Aluma has worked and studied in four different continents and conducts her research and workplace tasks in three different languages. Her multilateral passions link grand interests such as architecture, film, writing, and entertainment, leading to experiences within the fields of fashion, photography, technical and culture teaching, writing and publishing, and fine arts and curation. While her current focus is on capital culture and art direction, she is also a practising visual artist and writer who has had works on display in Rome, Canada, and England. Her work is deeply rooted in empathetic work ethic and diversity, proven by her studies in multilingualism and world cultures.
Before graduating with degrees in Art History, Communications, and World Literature & Culture, Aluma began working as a ghostwriter while studying abroad in Hong Kong. In this role, she began writing novels on behalf of international clients, specializing in science fiction and business literature. Upon returning to Canada, Aluma stepped into the role of Editor-in-Chief and teacher, mentoring an entire journalism department from the ground up with Alberta’s largest hip hop foundation. Eventually, Aluma’s written history would lead to the creation of a digital course with skillshare foundation UPWEGO.ai. Currently, Aluma is working on publishing her Masters research in decentralized art and currencies (CryptoArt).
Aluma is an independent creative director working in the fields of app development, fine art, and cultural wellbeing with numerous organizations, including Downtown Calgary Association, Alcove, ADVANCE Canada, universities and others. After speaking at multiple international conferences, she has also engaged with a team of academics from various institutions and many notable crypto-artists, leading to a highly anticipated textbook on the matter (publishing date TBD).